MLB Player News

Jansen is leading off as the designated hitter in Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Jansen has been used all over the lineup early on this season, batting eighth and fifth prior to Sunday's action. Though he'll get a break behind the dish, Jansen will look to get his bat going after reaching base just once in his first seven at-bats.

Vazquez will be on the bench Saturday against Seattle.

Vazquez started the first two games of the season, going 2-for-7 with a homer. Blake Swihart will take over behind the plate Saturday.

Narvaez is not starting Saturday against Boston, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Narvaez will sit for the second time in three games. Tom Murphy gets his first start of the season in his absence.

Garver will start at catcher and hit eighth Saturday against the Indians, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver's .268/.335/.414 slash line over 335 plate appearances last season made him an above-average offensive catcher, but he graded out less favorably behind the plate. With the Twins making defense a greater priority among their backstops, pitch-framing stalwart Jason Castro is expected to maintain a spot ahead of Garver in the pecking order. Garver should still be in store for at least a couple starts per week.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Plawecki wasn't behind the plate Thursday for the Tribe's Opening Day loss either, a firm indication he's viewed as the team's No. 2 backstop. Top option Roberto Perez hasn't shown much aptitude as a hitter over parts of six seasons in the big leagues, but the trust he's established with Cleveland's pitching staff should be enough to keep him ahead of Plawecki on the depth chart.

Narvaez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs overall in a loss to the Red Sox on Friday.

Narvaez had taken a seat in Thursday's home opener with lefty Chris Sale on the mound, but he introduced himself to the Mariners home crowd Friday with a 333-foot solo shot in the second inning off Nathan Eovaldi. The 27-year-old snapped a season-opening 0-for-9 slump with Friday's multi-hit effort.

Vazquez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 win over Seattle.

Vazquez has a pair of hits, both for extra bases, in seven at-bats, a surprising start to the season for the catcher who slugged a meager .283 in 2018. He's started the first two games but will cede the position to Blake Swihart on Saturday. Vazquez is expected to get the greater share of starts based on his defense.

Stassi started at catcher and went 0-for-3 in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Rays.

Stassi got the start on the second day of the season, catching Gerrit Cole on a night when an infield error led to three unearned runs. Stassi is the clear backup to Robinson Chirinos but should make a couple of starts per week. He was a member of the team last year when Houston led in catcher ERA, so manager AJ Hinch recognizes his defensive contribution and will keep him fresh.

Maile will start at catcher and bat ninth Friday against the Tigers.

After Danny Jansen earned the Opening Day start, Maile will get his first regular-season action Friday with the left-handed Matthew Boyd slated to start for the Tigers. The 28-year-old is coming off a tough spring training that saw him go 2-for-21 at the plate, but he's an effective catcher who frames pitches well which should help him earn a handful of at-bats when Jansen hits the pine.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.

Jansen received the starting nod in Thursday's season opener and went 0-for-3 with one strikeout. The 23-year-old figures to be a regular fixture behind the plate for the Blue Jays this season, though Luke Maile will grab the start Friday.